first time pregnancy; secondary pe teach; risk assessment advice

[user1221359]

Hi all,

I am a Secondary School PE teacher and am looking for some advice on what I should ask and have written on my risk assessment.

I can probably guess the likes of moving equipment such as trampolines, handball goals, netball posts are a no goer. However Please can some one on the following:

-Driving the minibus to fixtures after school? I am normally the only teacher. Should I be doing this?
-Changing rooms on my own? Again tend to be the only teacher
-Lesson change over; the corridors can be quite hectic?
-Duties - a break time in the sports hall where students play basketball and a lunch time duty in the corridor. On the risk assessment it has been said I will be changed but all duty includes monitoring behaviour and being on my feet

Please if you can think of anything, let me know.

Thank you!

Why could you not be in the changing room or in a minibus on your own because you’re pregnant? What’s the risk?
How pregnant are you and have you any particular problems being on your feet? I was still able to walk down corridors when pregnant, when teaching I did sit down more when I got really big - would a chair solve some of your problems?

Why can you not drive a minibus if you’re pregnant?

Sorry, but I cannot see any problems with you doing any of the things you have listed unless you have other massive health issues.

I carried on all duties etc, can't see any problem with driving bus unless you become so big it isn't comfortable and don't see an issue with changing rooms to be honest

Heavy lifting, climbing etc have risks when pregnant.

The rest sound fine

Hi, thank you for your comments, just to clarify I asked questions for advice, not once did I say I would NOT do them. They have been raised to me by my line manager and as it is my first time pregnancy I said I would do some research to find out.

Answering with a question is not helpful.

Hullo! I’m currently 34 weeks. I am on my feet for at least 5hours a day as a teacher, and still have outside duties. I quite like it, to be honest. This pregnancy it has definitely helped to be active. Our corridors are also pretty good.
In my last school, however, it was decided that the corridors and stairs were unsafe and, after a couple of incidents where I had to break up fights, I ended up being signed off for safety reasons.
That isn’t hugely relevant to you! Just thought you might be interested!

Your risk assessment will/should be reviewed at regular intervals.

It may be that near the end of the last trimester you cannot drive the minibus, but there is no way of predicting this.
I really struggled to fit behand the steering wheel in my first pg, was fine in my 2nd (different car) despite having quite bad pelvic girdle pain.

Equipment moving & lifting will be avoided where possible.

I can't think of any risks related to the changing room specifically? Have any been identified?

Corridors/stairs etc, you and your manager know how busy/safe your corridors are generally on a daily basis- again remember that your risk assessment will be reviewed again.

Have you worked their long? What have previous pregnant staff done? Surely your manager has some previous experience of this or can liaise with someone who does?

Have you read your maternity policy?

Thank you, that was useful as my current schools sound similar to you prior one. Will just bare it in mind but hopefully will not get to that. X

I work in a school and am still doing all normal things including duties, just not to be in PE if balls are included and no lifting or up ladders etc. But carrying on as normal x

Thank you foodylicous!

Been there for about 8 years, but I am the only female PE teacher, and certainly don’t want cause the department any problems.
The changing rooms tend to be fine, the odd scrap; luckily. Again thank you for giving some of your own experiences! It certainly helps. X